Category Archives: Custody
Missed Parental Visits Can Hurt Your Standing with the Court
Except in extreme circumstances, all parents have the right to visitation with their children if the other parent has sole custody. These visits could last just a few hours or for overnight stays here and there. The expectation is that the visiting parent will abide by all the rules listed in the visitation agreement and… Read More »
Navigating the Common Summertime Co-parenting Issues
Over the summer months, it’s common for your children’s routines to change significantly. If you and the children’s other parent are divorced, it can add some extra challenges to your custody and visitation arrangement. With this in mind, below are a few of the most common co-parenting issues that arise of the summer — and… Read More »
Alcoholism Can Be a Problem When Seeking Child Custody
Whenever a court handles a child custody dispute, the judge’s primary goal is to determine what arrangement would be in the children’s best interests, while still being mindful of each parent’s rights. When the presence of regular alcohol abuse is a factor, it is unlikely that the parent with the problem will be able to… Read More »
Study Closely Analyzes 50-50 Custody After Divorce
A new study from Arizona State University has found that shared, 50-50 custody could be better for most children and parents alike after a divorce. In many situations, children (especially young children) have a parent who has primary physical custody after a divorce, with the noncustodial parent getting visitation rights or occasional custody, and both… Read More »
Considerations for Your Pets During and After Divorce
While many of us think of our pets as being almost like our children, the law certainly does not hold them in the same regard. Pets are handled just like other household possessions in the divorce process. However, because of the strong emotional bond between humans and their animals, determining who gets custody of your… Read More »
Advice for a Successful Child Custody Evaluation
If child custody is a major issue in your divorce case, you may need to undergo a child custody evaluation. During this process, you will meet with a third-party evaluator to determine your fitness as a parent. The following are a few key tips as you prepare for this evaluation: Always be upfront regarding your… Read More »
Factors Considered When Moving Children Out of State After Divorce
Co-parenting children after a divorce is difficult enough when both parents live within a reasonable distance from each other. If one parent decides to move out of state after a divorce, the challenges become even greater. In most cases, parents are required under state law to get permission from a judge and/or the other parent… Read More »
Getting the Best Possible Outcome in Your Divorce
As you go through your divorce, important to be focused on the long term, making sure you’re ending up with the best possible settlement for you. This requires you to have a clear picture of exactly what it is you want as you move forward with your life. With how stressful and emotional divorce can… Read More »
BIG NEWS from the Highest Court of the State of New York – The Most Significant Case for Same-Sex Couples and Child Custody
Kelly Gunn (left) and Circe Hamilton PHOTO: New York Post, Julia Marsh, September 2, 2016 A recent ruling from the New York State Court of Appeals has determined that an unmarried partner that is the non-biological, non-adoptive partner in a same sex marriage can be entitled to parenting rights over a child raised in the… Read More »
What is Meant by the ‘Best Interests’ of a Child?
The general, overarching standard in all states for child custody is to come to a resolution that is in the “best interest of the child.” But this standard might seem rather subjective. Exactly what is meant by “best interest?” The following are a few factors that go into these decisions: The child’s age: There are… Read More »